Bo Mackison

The Seeded Earth blog hit the 25,000 mark yesterday, what I consider a milestone for both my blog and for me.

When I initially decided to do a daily photo blog, I was floundering around on hard ground and needed to find a softer landing place and an anchor. I eventually concluded I needed to set a goal and then work hard to reach it. I needed to do something that would not allow me to withdraw into the dark, but find light and walk towards it. The idea I came up with seemed simple enough. I would get out of the house and take photographs. Then I would post one every day on my blog. A routine. A new beginning. I would post daily for a year – 366 photos. (Leap year!)

And so I started posting photos – the plan began on October 6, 2007. I’d been posting prairie photos for awhile, but without any real intention of posting ‘good’ photographs. Now suddenly I wanted to improve the quality of my pictures, do real ‘photography’ – whatever that is. 🙂 I knew little about my camera or it’s capabilities, nothing at all about post-processing. I had an art background so at least I had some design and color awareness, but that was about all. I started anyway.

For a long time, it was the one consistent thing in my life. Post a photo every day. And as time passed, I started learning more – some camera things by just doing and practicing, some suggestions from kind fellow photo bloggers who offered me direction, and some basics from books and other photo sites. That photo a day was helping.

As the weeks and then months passed, I started making connections with the world away from my computer screen too. And my light got even brighter. I finally had enough light so that I could begin to see where I was going.

Now I am thinking of heading in a new direction, and here’s where things start getting a little weird for me.

I find it amazing, but I am getting lots of queries from people wishing to purchase my photographs. I can scarcely believe that in the first place, nor can I believe what I am considering doing to deal with these requests. (This is territory way out of my safety zone – I am about a 95% introvert.) Anyway, I am exploring the idea of setting up of a small photography business. (Hmm. This will require some considerable consideration.)

I use the name of my youth, Bo, for most of my other creative pursuits and so I’m going to photograph under that name, too. And from now on, I’ll write my blog under that name.

And so today Barbara magically turns into Bo and my avatar turns into the loopy tree photo above.

And if plans continue to unfold, Seeded Earth Photography just may bloom sometime later this year. (The whole idea still makes me jumpy inside). 🙂

Thanks to all of you who check out the Seeded Earth. You have all made a big difference in my life.

Oh, and say hello to Bo.

Unknown species of tree.
Olbrich Gardens
Madison, Wisconsin